Check out the new Video Conference Placements. Terrace gets to participate with Southeast BC by video while, also by video conference, Prince Rupert joins SE BC Golden with the NE communities. A better, more thoughtful position might have Golden participate with Grand Forks, Nelson and Oysoyoos. Terrace could then join with Prince Rupert, Ft. St. John and Dawson Creek. Is the Province attempting to create some divisionary scheme? And why, if they are coming to Smithers anyways, wouldn’t they make the gorgeous drive to Terrace and Prince Rupert?

Maybe they didn’t like the way we reported on the committees insult to students last time they were here. Read the report here

Finance Committee announces Budget 2012 Consultation Process

The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services announced today its plans for conducting province-wide budget consultations. Public hearings will begin on September 15, 2011 once the Budget 2012 Consultation Paper has been received by the all-party Committee.

"We encourage interested individuals and organizations to take part in this important process," said Committee Chair Rob Howard. "The budget consultations provide an excellent opportunity for the public to express their views regarding next year's provincial budget."

This year's consultation process will include public hearings in 13 communities, and two videoconference hearings covering an additional eight locations. The public is invited to attend the hearings or participate by sending a written submission, responding to the online survey, or submitting an audio or video file.

"We look forward to hearing the opinions and priorities of British Columbians for next year's provincial budget," said Deputy Chair Doug Donaldson. Hearings will be in the following locations:

Vancouver September 15Fort Nelson September 19Smithers September 20Prince George September 20Williams Lake September 21Kamloops September 21Courtenay September 22Video-conference sessions September 22 Terrace, Grand Forks, Nelson, OsoyoosVideo-conference sessions October 5 Dawson Creek, Fort St. John, Prince Rupert, GoldenVictoria October 7Surrey October 11Chilliwack October 12Cranbrook October 12Kelowna October 13Richmond October 14

Registration for the public hearings and video-conference sessions opens on Thursday, September 8 at 1:00 p.m. To register, please contact committee staff by phone, 1-877-428-8337, or by e-mail: FinanceCommittee,,,leg.bc.ca. For more information on the budget consultation process, please visit the Committee's website atwww.leg.bc.ca/budgetconsultations. The deadline for public input is Friday, October 14, and the Committee will release its report by Tuesday, November 15.

The members of the Select Standing Committee on Finance and GovernmentServices are: